USA has big expectations for Copa America on own soil

US Soccer National Team will begin its quest tomorrow against a serious contender as Colombia has shown over the last couple years and a quarterfinal at the last World Cup. The task is very high but coach Klinsmann admits his team is built around solid veterans with lots of international experience and young and dynamic talents who provide a strong spark to the team.

Klinsmann speaks about the importance of the young guns.

“This is a process, and the process is never ending. But in the first couple of years when you’re a pro, it’s a big learning curve. We’ll take it one step at a time. We put the pieces together for this tournament the best way that we get the right results.

What is wonderful to see is just the growth of these players over the last one or two years, how they really improved their game, how they’re becoming more adult, obviously stronger physically but also becoming more confident.”

“I think over the next couple weeks they [the youth] will definitely get their opportunities to play minutes and to leave an impression and to push more and more the established players towards the edge, which is their job,”

Gyasi Zardes showcases the wave of youth movement to the squad and he is ready for the big stage:

“I feel ready for this tournament. I’m trying to grow in confidence”. The game against Colombia ” helps a ton, but at the same time you can never be satisfied, you always have to keep working.”